Tower crane



Jan. 2, 1968 P. J PINGON TOWER CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1966FIG.

Avmwroe Jan. 2, 1968 P. J. PINGON 3,361,268

TOWER CRANE Filed May 6, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. J. PINGON Jan. 2, 1968TOWER CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May a, 1966 Mara r04 Jan. 2, 1968 P.J. PINGON A 3,361,263

TOWER CRANE I Filed May a, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A Trys.

P. J. PINGON TOWER CRANE Jan. 2, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6, 1966Maw/Woe United States Patent 3,361,268 TOWER CRANE Pierre Joseph Pingon,5 Ave. du Parmelan, Annecy, Haute Savoie, France Filed May 6, 1966, Ser.No. 548,264

Claims priority, application France, May 7, 1965, 16,181,

Patent 1,455,107; Mar. 28, 1966, 55,166, Patent 89,824

(addition) 9 Claims. (Cl. 212--46) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A quicklyerectable tower crane comprises a lower chassis, a swivel ring fixed onthe chassis and surmounted by a mast which may be of simple constructionor made up of a plurality of telescopic parts and carries a jib at itsupper end. A movable counterweight is pivotally connected to a pointadjacent the lower part of the mast, elements being provided betweenthis counterweight and the mast so that these two parts of the crane maybe shifted relative to each other. This relative motion permits both acontrol of the mast erection when the counterweight rests upon theground and a control of the counterweight erection so that it becomesoperative for balancing the jib while the crane works.

This invention relates to a rapidly erectable work-site tower crane.

Rapidly erectable work-site tower cranes are generally constituted by achassis upon which there is articulated a mast in two telescopic parts,which is intended to support the jib. For transportation this mast isbrought down to the horizontal position. It then remains connected tothe chassis by its articulation, the said chassis remaining in itsnormal position. The assembly is transported by means of wheels placedbeneath the chassis and towards the end of the mast.

Such an arrangement produces a lengthy and cumbersome road-transportassembly, causing difficulty in the transport of the crane together withits ballast.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy the draw backs of the knownarrangements, and to permit the realization of a rapidly erectable towercrane which can be transported, with its ballast, in the form of a shortand compact road-travel assembly.

The invention is carried into effect in a transportable tower cranecomprising a lower chassis, a swivel ring fixed on this chassis andsurmounted by a mast which may be of simple construction or formed froma plurality of telescopic parts and carries a jib at its top, and acounter-weight directly or indirectly articulatedly connected to a pointdisposed towards the lower part of the mast, elements being providedbetween this counterweight and the mast so that these two parts of thecrane may be displaced in relation to one another.

The style of the articulation between the counter-weight and the mast isso designed that when the counter-weight has been lowered so as to reston the ground or on a support surface, the mast can be moved by pivotingabout the axis of articulation and can be brought down on to thecounter-weight for transportation. In this position a carrier train isplaced beneath the forward part of the mast constituted by the chassis.This forward part can for example bear upon a tractor, in which case anarticulation having a vertical axis can be provided at this point.Another carrier train is also disposed towards the rear of the mast whenit is in the horizontal position, preferably at the rear third of thelength of the mast.

It can be seen that in this transportation position the mast, in thehorizontal position, in fact serves as a carrier girder, beneath whichthe counter-weight can be fixed.

The utilization of this lowered mast as carrier girder produces acompact and simple assembly, and advantageously solves the problem ofthe transportation of the counter-weight or ballast. Moreover it will benoted that the fitting of the rear carrier train at approximately therear third of the length of the mast gives a satisfactory distributionof loads, ensuring good adhesion of the rear wheels, while the whole caneasily turn without cutting in too far and without the rear part,situated beyond the carrier train, overhanging too far.

The elements which efiect the relative movement be tween thecounter-weight and the mast can be constituted by one or more jacks, orby a block and tackle or similar device, occupying an appropriateposition. In the case of a tackle-block a cable can be provided wound ona special erecting drum, driven by a suitable winch or combined with thehoisting winch of the crane, this winch being fixed preferably beneaththe mast in the transportation position. This same block and tackle canif desired be extended to the interior of the mast in order to effectits telescopic movement during erecting.

When one or more jacks are used, constituting rigid control devices, thepoint of articulation between the counter-weight and the mast may beselected in any manner, for example axially of the mast. However in thecase of a block and tackle, this articulation point is preferablybrought towards the side of the mast which is directed upwards duringtransportation, permitting the mast of its own accord to descend againinto the horizontal position under its own weight during the dismantlingof the crane.

The lower chassis of the crane can be formed in a conventional way by abase and four arms articulated thereto, carrying bearing elements ortranslational movement elements (such as wheels or caterpillar tracks),while these arms can be folded to within the track width of the assemblyfor transportation.

In the case of small or medium-size cranes, the chassis is connected tothe mast in such manner that during transportation it occupies aposition perpendicular to its working position, the support arms of thischassis being folded upwards. However, in the case of heavy machines, byreason of the fact that the dimensions of the track and consequently thelength of the arms increase, the height dimensions of the machine becometoo great for transportation. According to another particular feature ofthe invention the lower chassis is then constituted by a base upon whicharms are articulated, and by a ball ring upon which a rotating chass sis mounted, and the latter serves as an articulation element for themast, so that in the transport position the base retains its horizontalposition, the arms being folded in the longitudinal direction of theassembly. The rotating chassis is then prolonged towards the rear,supporting the counter-weight, and towards the front in order to serveas a saddle for coupling to the tractor. A tackle-block provided betweenthe rotating chassis and the mast renders it possible to raise thelatter for erection. If desired, this tackle may be prolonged into themast so as to serve for the telescopic movement thereof. In thetransport position the counter-weight can be fixed on the mast by meansof pegs and the mast then serves as carrier girder for the assembly. Itwill in particular be noted that in this case it will be advantageous touse a cast-iron counter-weight, the bulk of which is noticeably lessthan that of a current counter-weight.

According to yet another particular feature of the invention, in thecase of very small machines which can be transported wholly on avehicle, the counter-weight is articulated to the mast at a sufiicientlyhigh point so that the counter-Weight may be deposited on the platformof a vehicle, for example, a lorry, and in the dismantling of the cranethis counter-weight serves as support about which the mast is swivelledfor the loading of the crane onto the as o;

lorry, so that the crane loads itself, without an external energysource.

The invention will be further explained hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial elevational view of an embodiment of the towercrane according to the invention,

FIGURE 2 shows this tower crane in the transport position,

FIGURE 3 is a profile view of a tower crane according to a variant, inthe transport position,

FIGURE 4 is a partial front view, showing the lower chassis of thiscrane in the transport position,

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the crane in the position for use,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the lower chassis in the position for use,

FIGURE 7 shows, in elevation, another embodiment corresponding to acrane which is transportable on a vehicle.

As represented in the drawings, the crane comprises a chassis 1, whichis equipped in a manner known per se with articulated arms 2, on theends of which there are provided support elements 3 resting on theground during working, as indicated in FIGURE 1.

According to the invention, the central part of the chassis 1 issurmounted by a ball-type or roller-type swivel ring 4, which carriesthe mast 5 of the crane. In the present case this mast is of simpleconstruction, but it could equally be constituted by a plurality oftelescopic elements. The jib 6 of the crane is articulated at 7 to theupper end of the mast 5, in the usual manner.

The counter-weight of the crane according to the invention comprises aframe 8 into which the actual ballast 9 is fitted and which isarticulated at 10 to the lower part of the mast 5, in the vicinity ofthe swivel ring 4. A jack 11 is interposed between a point 12 of themast 5 immediately close to the ring 4 and another point 13 provided onthe frame 8 of the counter-weight. During working, a connecting rod 14intended to retain the counter-weight 8, 9 can be provided between thecounter-weight and the mast 5. The action of the counter-weight istransmitted to the jib by cables 15.

On examination of the drawings it will be noted that a carrier train,formed by wheels 16, is here provided in a fixed position towards theupper part of the mast 5 when the latter is in the vertical position.However this carrier train could be removable.

According to the embodiment as represented, a tackleblock assembly,indicated at 17 in FIGURE 1, is provided between the mast and thecounter-weight, the purpose of which assembly will be mentionedhereinafter.

The manner of operation of the assembly is as follows: Assuming that theassembly is in the transport position as shown in FIGURE 2, it will benoted that in this condition the mast 5 occupies a horizontal position,but remains fast with the chassis 1, which is itself in a positionperpendicular to its working position, as may easily be seen fromcomparison of FIGURES 1 and 2. The arms 2 of the chassis I are thenfolded to within the road-travel track Width. The jib 6 rests on themast 5 and the counterweight 8, 9 has been applied against the mast andis retained in this position by a peg 18. The forward part of the mast,Which is constituted by the chassis 1, here rests on a tractor 19through the intermediary of an articulation with a vertical axis,indicated diagrammatically at 20. This arrangement has been adopted topermit the jib to overhang the tractor if necessary, but the conversearrangement is equally possible.

It may be seen that in this position the mast 5 of the crane serves infact as a carrier girder and that for transportation this craneconstitutes a short and compact assembly, including the counter-weight,which is suspended beneath the mast.

When the assembly has arrived on site, erecting is cffected in thefollowing manner:

A jack is placed at the front beneath the chassis ll and the tractor I9is separated from the crane, then the latter is lowered until the frontpart of the counter-weight 8, 9 rests on the ground. The jack is thenremoved and the peg 18 is disengaged.

The jack 11 is then operated. When this jack shortens, the rear part ofthe counter-weight 8, 9 first comes into contact with the ground. Thenthe assembly formed by the mast and the chassis bears on thecounter-weight 8, 9, which rests wholly on the ground, and pivots aboutthe point 10 in order finally to arrive at the vertical position. Thesupport arms 2 are then unfolded and locked. The position obtained maybe seen from FIGURE 1, the counter-Weight 8, then being in the positionindicated in dot-and-dash lines in FIGURE 1.

The jack 11 is then operated afresh, in the opposite direction to theprevious. As the chassis 1 is locked in the working position by theunfolded support arms 2, the assembly of mast and chassis has sufficientstability to cause the raising of the counter-weight 8, 9.

The relative movement of the counter-weight and the mast is utilizedeither to cause the telescopic movement of the elements of a mast in aplurality of parts, or to raise the jib with the aid of the tackle-blockassembly it? provided between the mast and the counter-weight. It willfurther be noted that the counter-weight 8, 9 by its mass assists thejack 11 to pull upon the tackle-block assembly 17. It is seen that theerecting of the crane is extremely simple and rapid.

The working position of the assembly is represented in FIGURE 1.Converse operations permit of returning the assembly into the transportposition.

In the case of heavy machines, it can occur that the masses of themachine and counter-weight are too great to permit transportation byroad as one single assembly. In this case the position of thecounter-weight parallel with the ground and in its immediate vicinitypermits of instantaneous depositing of the counter-weight with the aidof the lifting jack. In this case the counter-weight can be constitutedby easily transportable blocks which can be assembled rapidly on theframe 8 shifted by the jack. In order to facilitate the operation, apassage is provided between the wheels 16 of the carrier train fixed onthe mast, so that the machine can be moved while the ballast is left onthe ground, and similarly can be brought to the lifting position,passing over the ballast, in reverse.

Yet another advantage can be obtained from the movement of thecounter-weight. In effect, in the case of a crane having a raisable jib,where the variation of radius is effected by modifying the inclinationof the jib, the movement of the latter can be effected easily by movingthe counter-weight, provided that the associated mechanisms have beendesigned accordingly. It will be noted that this movement requires onlyslight power, since the dead weight of the jib is balanced by that ofthe counterweight.

If it is desired to obtain a possibility of shifting the crane from onepoint to another on one and the same working site, the counter-weight 8,9 can be replaced my a Caterpiller track assembly or another all-terrainmovement assembly, ballasted in a suitable way. When the crane has beenbrought by road to the site, in the transport position as shown inFIGURE 2, it is set on the Caterpillar-tracked assembly. Thepneumatic-tired carrier trains are then removed and the machine canshift on the site from one point to the other, after folding.

According to the embodiment represented in FIG- URES 3 to 6, the cranecomprises a lower chassis 1 associated with articulated arms 2 which, asmay be seen especially from FIGURE 4, are raised vertically fortransport so as to be situated within the road-travel track width. Inthis case also the mast 5 of the crane, serving during transportation ascarrier girder beneath which the counter-weight or baliast 9 is placed,is connected to the chassis I through the swivel ring 4. This mast,forming a carrier girder, rests towards the rear third of its lengthupon a rear carrier train 16, while the forward part of the assemblyrests upon a tractor 19, as described with reference to the previousembodiment. The jib 6 of the crane is here again articulated at 7 to themast.

According to this embodiment, the articulation point 21 of thecounter-weight 9 on the mast is brought to the upper side of the mastwhen the mast is in the transport position, and the counter-weight 9 isconnected by a cable or tackle-block assembly 22 to the drum of a winch23 placed beneath the mast in the horizontal position and passing over areturn pulley 24 provided at the foot of the mast.

The manner of use of this crane is similar to that described above. Thusfor the erection of the crane, once the counter-weight 9 has beendeposited on the ground, the winch 23 is operated so as to wind up thecable 22, causing the mast 5 to pivot about the articulation point 21into a vertical position. In this position the articulated arms 2 of thelower chassis are then extended to occupy the position represented inFIGURES 5 and 6. The operation of the winch then permits of raising thejib and the counter-weight, and of telescopically extending the elementsof the mast 5 if the latter is in a plurality of parts.

For dismantling, once the counter-weight 9 has been lowered to theground and the arms 2 have been folded, the offset articulation point 21permits the mast 5 to serve as drive element for turning to thehorizontal position, and the cable 22 and winch 23 then serve simply tobrake this movement.

According to the embodiment represented in FIGURE 7, the crane is ofsmall dimensions and has a total weight permitting it to be transportedon a vehicle such as a truck 41. This crane is similar to thatrepresented in FIGURES 1 and 2. However, the point 42 of articulation ofthe counter-weight 9 on the mast 5 is placed sufliciently high to enablethe counter-weight to be placed on the platform of the truck 41 asshown. This articulation point is preferably placed at the center ofgravity of the assembly formed by the mast 5, the jib 6 and the lowerchassis 1.

The crane represented in FIGURE 7 comprises an erecting winch 43, whichis fixed on the mast 5 beneath the articulation point 42 and so as to besituated beneath the mast when the latter has been turned to thehorizontal position.

In FIGURE 7 there is indicated in solid lines the transport position,into which the mast 5 is turned down upon the counter-weight 9, whichitself rests on the platform of the truck 41. In this position, the mastis fixed on the counter-weight through a connecting rod 44. On arrivalat the working site the mast 5 is pivoted into the vertical position andthe arms 2 are unfolded from the chassis 1. The height of thearticulation point 42 is so calculated that in this position only therear wheels 45 of the chassis 1 rest on the track intended to receivethe crane, the front wheels 46 remaining slightly above this track. Atthis moment the erecting winch is operated, which extends the mast 5 andat the end of that travel raises the jib 6, which is held by a tie rodfixed to the counter-weight. Then the trolley of the crane is brought tothe end of the jib, the hook is lowered and a suificient load is raisedso that the assembly rocks slightly about the lower edge 47 of thecounter-weight 9, so that the front Wheels 46 of the chassis come intocontact with the track. The counter-weight 9 then rises sufficiently topermit securing of the connecting rod 48 upon the mast 5. The positionobtained is then that indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 7. The vehiclemay then be removed.

Modifications can be made in the embodiments described, within the scopeof technical equivalence, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is: i

1. In a transportable tower crane comprising a lower chassis, a swivelring fixed on said chassis, a mast having a top portion and a lowerportion, surmounting said swivel ring, and a jib provided at said topportion of said mast; a counter-weight articulatedly connected to apoint on said lower portion of said mast for vertical swinging movementrelative to said chassis and mast and jib, and actuating means providedbetween said counter-weight and said mast for moving the same withrespect to each other and with respect to said chassis.

2. In a transportable tower crane comprising a lower chassis, a swivelring fixed on said chassis, a mast having a top portion and a lowerportion surmounting said swivel ring, said mast being movable between avertical working position and a horizontal transport position, and a jibhingedly connected to the top portion of said mast; a counter-weightarticulatedly connected to a point on said lower portion of said mastfor vertical swinging movement relative to said chassis and mast andjib, and actuating means provided between said counterweight and saidmast for moving the same with respect to each other and with respect tosaid chassis said counterweight being, in said transport position ofsaid mast, secured beneath said mast.

3. A transportable tower crane according to claim 2, comprising a frontcarrier train and a rear carrier train detachably located beneath saidchassis and beneath said mast in the horizontal transport position,respectively.

4. A transportable tower crane according to claim 1, comprising jacksmounted between said counter-weight and said mast for relatively movingthe same.

5. A transportable tower crane according to claim 1, comprising a cableforming a tackle-block assembly and a winch secured on a side surface ofsaid mast for relatively moving said mast with respect to saidcounterweight.

6. In a transportable tower crane comprising a lower chassis, a swivelring fixed on said chassis, a mast having side surfaces, a top portionand a lower portion surmounting said swivel ring, and a jib provided atsaid top portion of said mast; a counter-weight articulatedly connectedto a point on said lower portion of said mast for vertical swingingmovement relative to said chassis and mast and jib, the mast beingmovable between a vertical working position and a horizontal transportposition, said articulation point being located near the side surface ofsaid mast which is directed upwards when said mast occupies a horizontalposition, a cable forming tackle-block assembly and a winch secured onthe side surface of said mast which is directed downwardly when saidmast occupies said horizontal position for relatively moving said mastwith respect to said counterweight, and means for swinging saidcounter-weight vertically relative to said chassis.

7. In a transportable tower crane comprising a lower chassis, a swivelring fixed on said chassis, a mast having a top portion and a lowerportion surmounting said swivel ring, said chassis, swivel ring and mastbeing rigidly connected so that said mast constantly occupies a positionperpendicular to said chassis, and a jib provided at said top portion ofsaid mast; a counter-weight articulatedly connected to a point on saidlower portion of said mast for vertical swinging movement relative tosaid chassis and mast and jib, and actuating means provided between saidcounter-weight and said mast for moving the same with respect to eachother and with respect to said chassis.

8. In a transportable tower crane having sufiiciently small dimensionsand weight to permit its transportation on a vehicle, comprising a lowerchassis, a swivel ring fixed on said lower chassis, a mast having a topportion and a lower portion surmounting said swivel ring, and a jibhingedly connected to said top portion of said mast; a counter-weightarticulatedly connected to a point on said lower portion of said mastfor vertical swinging movement relative to said chassis and mast andjib, actuating means provided between said counter-weight and said mastfor moving said mast with respect to said counter-weight between avertical working position and a horizontal transport position, saidarticulation point provided on said mast being located at a level whichis higher than a vehicle platform that serves for trans porting thecrane but substantially below the top of the mast in such a manner thaton operation of the actuating 5 97 A transportable tower crane accordingto claim 8, wherein said articulation point is located at the center ofgravity of the assembly formed by said mast, jib and chassis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,083,837 4/1963 Jones et al.21246 3,190,457 6/1965 Linden 212-70 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,310,001 10/ 1962France.

1,325,817 3/1963 France.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner.

